Device for sharpening scissors or shears.



No. 687,083. Patented Nov l9, .l90l.

. A. L. TOLMAN. DEVICE FOR SHABPENING SGISSORS 0R SHEARS.

(Application and Feb 9, 1901.

(No Model.)

wi 'I l' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAHAM L. TOLMANQO'F ORANGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEVICE FOR SHARPENING SCISSORS OR S HE ARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Pat nt No. 687,083, dated November 19, 1901.

Application filed February 9,1901. Serial No. 525. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ABRAHAM L. ToLMAN, a citizen of theUnitedStates,residingatOrange, in the county of Franklin and'State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Sharpening Scissors or Shears, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is-to provide a simple apparatus by the use of which scissors and shears may be readily sharpened and which may be easily adjusted to hold scissors or shears of various sizes. This object I at tain by the use of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings; and the invention consists in certain novel features of the same, as will be hereinafter first fully described,and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings which fully illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved device. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line ocwof Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a detail edge view of the file or abrading member of the apparatus.

In carrying out my invention I employ a frame A, consisting of a casting or integral structure having the side plates B, connected by a front bar C, from the center of which depends an arm D, carrying a clamping-screw E in its end. The side plates B are adapted to rest on a table or bench and are provided at their front corners with the small depending lips or teeth F, which by engaging against the edge of the table or bench serve to position the frame thereon. The front bar 0 is provided with a longitudinal slot G for a purpose presently stated, and in the upper rear corners of the side plates I journal a roller H, upon which the file or abrading member rides in the operation of the device. On the front side of the bar 0, near the right-hand end of the same, is a vertical recess or groove I, and at the base of said groove is an offset or boss J, in which is mounted an adj usting-screw K, adapted to bear against the back edge of the scissors-blade, and thereby maintain the cutting edge of the blade at the proper distance above the top edge of the bar. Mounted upon the bar 0 and adjustable along the slot therein is a rest L, which is adapted to support the end of the blade while it is being sharpened. Adjacent to the adjusting-screw K a clamping-plate M is secured to the front bar B of the frame and is adapted to be engaged over the edge of the blade, so as to hold the same firmly against the frame. This clampingplate is provided with a longitudinal slotN, through which the fastening-screw 0 is inserted into the bar, whereby it may be readily adj usted to the size of the blade, and on its innerorrearside, at both ends, it has notches P, either of which may be engaged over the edge of the blade. The notches are preferably of different sizes, so as to provide for a perfect engagement of blades of different thicknesses.

The file or abrading member of the apparatus consists ofa bar formed in two sections Q R, having a lap-joint, as shown at S, and covered with felt or similar material, the said material forming a hinge at the point T, where the ends of the sections meet. In the under side of the bar, near the ends of the same, I form the inclined slits or kerfs U, in which the ends of a strip of emery, corundum, or similar cloth are fitted. After the ends of the strip are thus secured the bar is flattened or straightened by bringing the sections into alinement and then fastened against disjoint ing by a button or similar device V. In this manner aconstant tension is exerted on the abrading-strip, and at the same time a smooth cushioned surface is provided below the same.

It is thought the manner of using the device will be readily apprehended. As indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the scissors to be sharpened are opened and the blade to be acted upon is placed against the front of the frame with its edge projecting slightly above the edge of the front bar. The rest is adj usted so as to bear against and support the end of the blade, and the adjustingscrew is turned up to cause the cutting edge to project the proper distance above the frame, after which the clamping-plate is engaged over the back edge of the blade and secured. A small spring W, hung on the arm D, is then engaged with the handle of the opposite blade and the handle and blade thereby held out of the way of the operator. The file or abrading member is then run back and forth over the edge of the blade held in the frame and the cutting edge thus properly sharpened, the roller serving as a rest or support for the file or abrading member and causing it consequently to act on the entire length of the cutting edge at a uniform angle. When a blade having a pointed end is being sharpened, the rest L is in the position shown in Fig. 1. Should the blade to be sharpened have a round wide end, the rest is turned so as to present its longer straight edge or side to the blade, and thereby support the same in the proper position.

The device is very simple and may be manipulated readily and rapidly by an unskilled person.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patout, isi 1.. In an apparatus for sharpening scissors, the combination with the frame, of a slidable rest mounted on the front face of the frame and rotatable on its support so as to present either its end or its side to the blade of the scissors,and a clam pin g-plate mounted on the frame and adapted to engage and hold the scissors-blade.

2. In an apparatus for sharpening scissors and shears, the combination with the frame, of a clamping-plate mounted on the frame and adapted to engage and hold the blade of the scissors or shears, an adjusting-screw mounted in the frame and adapted to bear on the blade to adjust the edge of the same above the frame, and a rest on the frame adapted to support the end of the blade.

justing-screw mounted in said boss and playlng in said groove, and a clamping-plate adj ustably mounted on the frame adjacent to said screw.

5. The combination of the frame having a longitudinal slot in its front bar, an arm depending from said bar, a clamping screw mounted in said arm, a spring hung on said arm and adapted to engage the free member of the shears, a clamping-plate mounted on the frame and adapted to hold the shears, an adjusting-screw mounted in the frame and adapted to bear against the shears, a rest mounted adjustably in the slot in the front bar of the frame and adapted to support the end of the blade, and a roller journaled in the side plates of the frame.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ABRAHAM L. TOLMAN. Witnesses:

ALBERT L. SAUTTER, FRED G. EMERY. 

